Backdraft - What it means to support the troops (12 images)

Only 34% of the twenty three million living military U.S. veterans are enrolled in the Veterans Healthcare System. Coming from a military culture that considers psychological issues a sign of weakness many disabled veterans avoid proper care. Others struggle to receive benefits from an overwhelmed Veterans Administration. In an American society that promotes the sanctity of personal...more »

Only 34% of the twenty three million living military U.S. veterans are enrolled in the Veterans Healthcare System. Coming from a military culture that considers psychological issues a sign of weakness many disabled veterans avoid proper care. Others struggle to receive benefits from an overwhelmed Veterans Administration. In an American society that promotes the sanctity of personal firearms; military service is considered an avenue for acquiring experience, discipline, and educational support that is often difficult to obtain through other means. In this way, the all-volunteer military has, in essence, become a poverty draft.

Backdraft critically explores the domestic consequences of America's military endeavors on military veterans and their families. It looks at the work of individuals or organizations that provide for their needs or that explore the intrusion of militarism in the U.S. society.

Most of these pictures were taken in California, which is the state with the highest number of military veterans, more than two millions.

Mathieu Grandjean is a French photographer; originated form Paris. He has been living in Los Angeles since 2004. He is specialized in long term social documentary project and portraiture. He was selected by the Bourse du Talent in 2003 and 2005. His work has appeared in Lightmediation.com, 100eyes.org, San Francisco Bay Guardian, bagnewsnotes.com, sophot.com, Liberation, Figaro Magazine, Latences. His work has also shown in the the Power House Arena (New York), the Annenberg Space for Photography and the 13th International Los Angeles Photographic Art exposition (Los Angeles). And currently, the Backdraft project is shown at the 2010 Fotografia Festival Rome, Italia.
He received a sponsorship from the Eastman Kodak Company to support the Backdraft project recently featured in "This is where we take our Stand", a web-series by David Zeiger.« less